Atoizu, home to a CM, in ruins

OUR CORRESPONDENT

Kohima, Feb. 28: Atoizu is a town that has produced cabinet ministers, a chief minister and several top bureaucrats. It still has a large number of educated youths but, today, the town is one of the most neglected places in the state.

The building of the only government high school is on the verge of collapse. The buildings housing the offices of the public works department, electricity department, social welfare department and other government departments are tottering and the only primary health centre, which caters to the needs of 20 villages, is in a pathetic condition.

Residents said the town’s ruined state is the result of government apathy, problems in land acquisition and the mindset of people.

“Today, Atoizu is not only the most neglected town in Zunheboto district but in the state,” said Nitoho Chisho, a resident of the town.

Student leaders agree that land acquisition has been a major hurdle for development activities.

“The mindset of some of our parents has to change so that our society can progress,” a student leader said.

He said the town has produced hundreds of educated youths in the last couple of years but their opinions about the welfare of the town were never taken into consideration by a section of people whose mindset is still behind the times.

“We should not be forgotten over time,” he added.

An elderly man said if some people continue to talk about landowners, Atoizu will never progress, instead it will vanish.

“Until some people change their mindsets, the town will never be developed,” he said.

Recently, the Atoizu Town Students’ Union organised a seminar where the reasons for the poor growth of the town were dissected.

“Atoizu should have a well-equipped hospital, not just a public health centre. PHCs are supposed to be for villages,” said Kughavi Chishi, a resident.

In reality, the government departments in Atoizu have remained defunct.

“Today, there is no one who can voice the opinions of the people of Atoizu,” said Katoli Jamir, a government employee, adding that the condition of the roads was worse than those in villages.